Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand and describe the extent to which Miranda meets the expectations of a patriarchal society.
Key learning points
- Shakespearean society was a patriarchal society.
- Women had less legal rights than men and faced social pressure to be subservient to men.
- Miranda is shown as compassionate, beautiful, intelligent and optimistic.
- Miranda is also shown as questioning her father’s decisions.
- Miranda could be considered as both subverting and meeting the expectations of patriarchal society.
Keywords
Patriarchal - A patriarchal society is where men hold positions of control and are considered more important than women.
Subvert - To subvert means to undermine the power or authority of an established system by going against the rules.
Stereotype - A stereotype is a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like.
Subservient - Being subservient means you’re willing to do what other people want and consider your own wishes less important.
Common misconception
Students sometimes think that women were completely powerless in Shakespeare's time.
While there were legal restrictions and social pressures on women in Shakespeare's time, there were some women who had power and influence.
Teacher tip
You could have the students act out the extracts and consider how they can make Miranda seem either strong or subservient depending on the body language and tone of voice she uses.
Equipment
You may want a copy of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which monarch was on the throne for the majority of Shakespeare's life?
Q2.What does subservient mean?
Q3.A patriarchal society is a society controlled by men. How do you think women are thought of in a patriarchal society?
Q4.Starting with the first, put these plot events for Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' in chronological order.
Q5.Shakespearean society was a patriarchal society, controlled by men, so which of the following do you think women could do once they were married?
Q6.Shakespearean society was patriarchal, meaning it was controlled by men, which of the following do you think women would be expected to be?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A society controlled by men is known as a __________ society.
Q2.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest, what does Miranda offer to do for Ferdinand that he says would be a dishonour?
Q3.In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', Miranda asks Ferdinand if he will be her husband. In a patriarchal society, this would be...
Q4.What is a stereotype?
Q5.What does 'subvert' mean?
Q6.By asking Ferdinand if he will be her husband, Miranda patriarchal expectations in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'.
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Understanding the portrayal of Miranda in Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the 'The Tempest' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.